Chronicles of the Northern Heavens Chapter 173: The War of Nerves Begins

Seomunhoe, the Elder Council Chairman hailed as the true power behind White Night Cartel, received a report from his subordinate in his private quarters. He reacted with keen interest.

"So the family head scolded Wang Danju's guards... As expected, he's no ordinary man. And Wang Danju just let it slide?"

"Yes. There were no further clashes, apparently."

"This is why people and factions must be strong. If the North hadn't annexed the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Northwest, do you think Wang Danju would have backed down? It would've ended in bloodshed, no doubt."

"The Golden Merchant Group is requesting an urgent meeting... What shall we do?"

"Bring him to my quarters tonight, without anyone knowing."

"Understood."

Once his close aide withdrew, Seomunhoe sank deep into a chair covered with tiger skin, his eyes gleaming with intrigue.

"He must know my position. Yet he visited only Jijeon Palace and passed by the Elder Council... I can take that to mean he'll comply smoothly with this mediation."

"Indeed. Otherwise, he'd have come straight to the Elder Council first to curry favor with you, Chairman."

The one who responded was Seomunhoe's trusted confidant. He continued.

"In any case, the North's lord has become the master of two major factions in name and reality. If we leave it like this, the balance of power could collapse. We must act swiftly."

"I have plans in mind, so no need to rush. Of course, you should prepare some good countermeasures as well."

"Understood."

Seomunhoe picked up his teacup. Just as he brought it to his lips for a sip, the aide who had left moments ago burst back in.

"Chairman!"

"What's got you in such a frenzy?"

"Geomga has attacked three strongholds of Hwangha Suryeon!"

"...!"

Seomunhoe's relaxed expression subtly shifted. Unaware of the prior incident where Bukgung Cheon had been cornered by Hwangha Suryeon, this was shocking news. Yet his surprise was oddly subdued.

Then another aide rushed in.

"A fresh report just came via the Intelligence Division. You should see this."

Seomunhoe immediately unfolded the intelligence slip his aide handed him. It revealed that Geomga's young master had clashed with Hwangha Suryeon and been pushed to the brink of death...

A twitch crossed his brow, carving deep wrinkles.

"If this is true, they have ample justification for the attack..."

"Those two were bound to collide sooner or later. Perhaps Geom-sin was even hoping for something like this. But the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠North-Southwest war just ended... We must prevent all-out war, mustn't we?"

"Without a mediation request from one side, the Cartel cannot intervene. In times like these, we must uphold the iron rules we've always followed."

"But if war breaks out again, the murim world's public sentiment will turn ugly..."

"I'll ponder that issue. Withdraw for now. I need rest today."

"Yes. Rest well, then."

With his aides gone, Seomunhoe walked to the window and flung it wide open. The familiar vista of the Cartel still stirred his heart every time. He drew in a deep breath of the chill wind, his eyes flashing.

'Power grows firmer through the chaos of war. If conflict erupts again between North and Southwest after the Northwest, the murim world will lean even more on me and the Elder Council. No need ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for me to step in and mediate, then. But with things turning out like this, I should handle the mediation swiftly. Heh heh heh.'

* * *

Yeon-hoo gazed down at the sprawling view of Baekya-beol from his quarters' window. It was a majestic sight, no matter how many times he saw it—one that set his heart racing. He yearned to feel it: what the world would look like from this perch.

'Is the current master of the world the Elder Council Chairman?'

Anyone would think so. Everyone knew that Dae Ji-jon So Mu-baek was merely a figurehead.

Whoosh.

A wind carrying fine raindrops lashed across Yeon-hoo's face. As he raised a hand to brush away the tickling strands of hair, his eyes sharpened at the sight of Yeogwang hurrying toward him.

'Something's happened?'

Yeogwang's face was grimly set. And there was no reason for him to visit at this hour.

Spotting Yeon-hoo at the window, Yeogwang called out in a heavy tone.

"I have urgent news!"

"Come in."

Moments later, Yeogwang entered Yeon-hoo's quarters.

"Geomga and Hwangha Suryeon have clashed."

A twitch.

"Reliable intel?"

"Yes. A friend in the Intelligence Division confirmed Geomga annihilated three of their strongholds."

Yeon-hoo furrowed his brow. He'd anticipated some retaliation from Geomga, but not this swiftly.

'Depending on which strongholds were hit, the fallout could spread far.'

Though surprised by Geomga's speed, this was precisely what Yeon-hoo wanted.

He'd predicted the North—fresh from annexing the Northwest—would next face the Blood Clan, given their alliance with Southwest murim. But Yeon-hoo targeted Hwangha Suryeon first. Not for war, but to purge their bases along the Northwest waterways, securing proper river routes.

Control of efficient waterways would resolve logistics and transport naturally, while generating immense wealth.

"Good work. Keep me posted on further developments."

"Understood."

As Yeogwang withdrew, Cheol-u approached.

"This could escalate. Shouldn't we head down immediately, my lord?"

"No rush. First, focus on turning the Golden Merchant Group mediation to our advantage."

Yeon-hoo sank into his chair, interlocking his fingers. Then Dongbang Ri entered.

"Have some tea."

"Thank you."

"You too, Cheol-u."

"My thanks."

"Family head."

"Yes?"

"Finish your tea, then to the training grounds."

"Here... with maps?"

"Why not? We still have a full day. Might as well not waste it."

"Alright, then."

Soon, Yeon-hoo headed to the training grounds with Dongbang Ri. It was more a garden for distinguished guests to stroll than a proper field. With only Yeon-hoo's group and the Golden Merchant folk visiting, it was deserted.

Yeon-hoo and Dongbang Ri entered a small clearing at the back—the best spot for sparring.

"With your insight, you've grasped the essence by now. Treat me as an enemy and attack."

"Real swords?"

"Of course."

"Got it."

Clang!

Kaboom!

Dongbang Ri's strikes were ferocious. Hard to believe she'd learned them just days ago—swift and destructive. Yeon-hoo marveled anew at her talent.

'What's truly impressive is how much room she has left to grow.'

Meanwhile, Cheol-u, Seobaek, and Jo Yeong watched from the side.

Seobaek tilted his head. "Sudden training?"

"Doesn't seem like just practice..."

"Some other intent, then?"

"Just a hunch."

"Sheesh."

"Whoa!"

Jo Yeong exclaimed. His eyes had tracked Dongbang Ri from the start.

"Lady Dongbang is that strong... Was she hiding her power all this time?"

Seobaek replied, "Not hiding—improving. At a speed ordinary folk can't even imagine."

"Really?"

Jo Yeong blinked at Cheol-u, his gaze questioning if it was true.

"It is."

"Whoa... A total martial arts genius, then?"

"Genius doesn't cover it."

"...!"

Seobaek grinned. "That growth rate? She's practically a prodigy."

Gulp.

Jo Yeong swallowed dryly. "Wish she'd teach me too..."

"Huh? I'll tell Mu Yeong-hyung exactly that?"

"...I misspoke. Forget it. Ahem!"

Then Cheol-u lightly swung his sword arm. Thwack—a nearby branch snapped and fell.

Stray energy from Yeon-hoo and Dongbang Ri's clashing swords had flown their way.

Thud thud.

Cheol-u kicked Seobaek and Jo Yeong's rears.

"Focus if you don't want holes in you."

* * *

"Sparring?"

"Yes. With one of the escort warriors."

Wang-jeok's brow furrowed deeply at his subordinate's report.

"What does that bastard have to be so carefree? Knowing our ties to the Elder Council Chairman, he should be sweating and groaning by now..."

"Lee Yeon-hoo isn't the type."

"You dare praise him to my face?!"

Zing.

"...My apologies. I misspoke."

Wang-jeok's subordinate bowed hastily. After glaring fiercely, Wang-jeok sank back into his chair.

"He might have hidden strings in the Cartel we don't know. Deploy everyone to watch them closely. Check and report the identity of anyone who even makes eye contact!"

"Why not ask the Intelligence Division more firmly? You hold their leader tight, don't you?"

"Good point. That's surer."

Wang-jeok shot to his feet, then sat back down.

"Can't move myself, so go to Intelligence discreetly and say I'm watching."

"Understood."

As his subordinate left, Wang-jeok muttered, brow tightly knit.

"Sparring leisurely in these times means he has something up his sleeve. Fine—I'll use this chance to sever every Cartel thread touching you."

* * *

Yeon-hoo trained for a full hour—longer than Dongbang Ri expected. No sooner had they finished than he headed to the warriors' guest inn in the Cartel.

"We sweated; let's have a drink."

"...Yes."

"Eyes will be on us, my lord. Use the guest quarters inside."

Yeon-hoo kept walking as he replied to Cheol-u.

"Since when do we care about prying eyes?"

"..."

Yeon-hoo led the way. Dongbang Ri followed, her cheeks flushed. The spar had made ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her feel her growth vividly.

"Jo Yeong."

"Yes, my lord."

"Of the spirit pills you took as a child, which boosted your internal energy most?"

"Why suddenly...?"

"Answer."

Jo Yeong pondered, head tilting, then his eyes lit up.

"Century-old ha-su-o was best, I think. And one more—my father donated big to Sorilsa on Sungsan and brought back Summon Pills. Those were good too."

"Sorilsa makes those?"

"Yes. After losing the Great Orthodox War and going broke, they sold Summon Pills to rich houses and martial clans to survive. Rumors say there's a superior Daehwan Dan, but unconfirmed."

Yeon-hoo nodded silently, thinking of Sorilsa—once murim's pinnacle, now barely clinging on as a monk order.

Cheol-u had sent via transmission. Yeon-hoo nodded silently.